We use cookies to give you the best, most relevant experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time through your browser settings.

Passage safety rules

These guidelines may change depending on water levels and availability of space. The restrictions make sure this amazing structure is always ready for you to enjoy it by ensuring there's enough water so you can navigate and that the tunnel stays open all season.

So if you’re due to enter the tunnel, here’s how to be prepared:

Please make sure your craft is within the maximum dimension limits specified in the diagram below

Sadly, fibreglass boats and petrol engine boats are not allowed through the tunnel

We cannot take the helm of unattended boats or take them through the tunnel for you

Our trained chaperone will accompany each boat to offer navigational advice and information

We'll issue anyone remaining outside your boat as it travels through the tunnel with a hard hat and life jacket. Both need to be worn at all times in the tunnel

In an emergency – you must be able to leave your boat unaided in line with our tunnel operations procedures. This includes being able to climb a vertical ladder [two metres] up to an escape platform within the tunnel and ability to walk up to 2km on uneven ground

You can take pets through the tunnel. However, the tunnel is a confined space, with plenty of strange noises. So to minimise the distress on your pet – and any risk to you as the boat steerer – your pet (including dogs and cats) must be tied or caged appropriately and inside your boat. Ideally, with someone taking care of them during the passage. After all, they may have to endure the passage for up to three hours. Simply closing internal doors is not enough to satisfy our safety requirement

Remember, there are no pump out facilities at the visitor centre, only a water point

The Canal & River Trust cannot be liable for any damage to your boat as a result of its passage through the tunnel

We may refuse to allow anyone to travel through the tunnel, if we consider them unable to meet the above requirements. However, you can:

Take a taxi – we can book a taxi, at your expense, to transfer anyone who is not travelling through the tunnel to the other end

Take a bus – there are a couple of bus routes available

Go on foot – we can provide details of the walking route over the Pennines

Travelling from Marsden to Diggle (east to west)

Please moor just past lock 42E on the day before your passage and not to go past the second railway bridge until after 5.00pm. This is to avoid colliding with our Standedge visitor centre boat trip, which runs past this point until 5.00pm.

After 5.00pm you can moor at the tunnel entrance ready for your passage the following day. Passage preparations start at 8.00am the next day.

The locks from 32E to 42E are no longer manned, so please take care when travelling up the flight to minimise water loss and make sure all paddles are closed after you. When descending, please fill the lower lock on each pound before you release the water from the upper lock of that pound, otherwise the locks may flood.

Please don’t try to run water down from above without help from our team. Running water from the summit pound may mean boats will get stuck in the tunnel or tunnel being closed.

If you need any help on the flight, please call 03030 404040.

Travelling from Diggle to Marsden (west to east)

Please be at the Diggle portal for 11.30am on the day of your passage. Switch off your gas and put out all stoves before entering the tunnel. Once through the tunnel, you can moor above lock 42E for up to 24 hours. Further mooring space is available below lock 32E, between Marsden and Slaithwaite villages (please note, there are no facilities at these locations).

Limiting dimensions

Sadly, if your boat exceeds the following dimensions when our tunnel controller measures you at the tunnel entrance, we'll have to refuse you passage.